Hybrid vehicle system

ABSTRACT

A hybrid vehicle system is provided with an internal combustion engine driving one set of wheels and an electric motor connected to the other wheels via an active clutch system. A power take-off unit is provided for selectively providing driving torque from the internal combustion engine to the electric motor to operate the motor in a regenerative operating mode. The active clutch system is selectively engaged and disengaged based upon whether the vehicle is operating in an internal combustion engine operating mode, an electric motor operating mode, a combined electric motor and internal combustion engine operating mode, or a regenerative operating mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/083,885 filed on Feb. 27, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,195.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vehicle powertrain, and more particularly, to a hybrid drive system for motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automobile manufacturers are actively working to develop alternative powertrain systems in an effort to reduce the level of pollutants exhausted into the air by conventional powertrains equipped with internal combustion engines and to reduce fuel consumption thereof. Significant development has been directed to hybrid electric vehicles. Several different hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have recently been offered for sale. These hybrid vehicles are equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that can be operated independently or in combination to drive the vehicle.

There are two types of hybrid vehicles, namely, series hybrid and parallel hybrid. In a series hybrid vehicle, power is delivered to the wheels by the electric motor which draws electrical energy from the battery. The engine is used in series hybrid vehicles to drive a generator which supplies power directly to the electric motor or charges the battery when the state of charge falls below a predetermined value. In parallel hybrid vehicles, the electric motor and the engine can be operated independently or in combination pursuant to the running conditions of the vehicle. Typically, the control strategy for such parallel hybrid vehicles utilizes a low-load mode where only the electric motor is used to drive the vehicle, an intermediate-load mode where only the engine is used to drive the vehicle, and a high-load mode where the engine and electric motor are both used to drive the vehicle.

Hybrid powertrains have been adapted for use in four-wheel drive vehicles and typically utilize the above-noted parallel hybrid powertrain to drive the primary wheels and a secondary electric motor to drive the secondary wheels. It is desired to provide these four-wheel drive vehicles with an active torque bias front axle for improved vehicle handling and traction control while also providing regeneration during vehicle braking. In addition, improved efficiency and reduction of components is also desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to the present invention to provide a hybrid powertrain drive system for a four-wheel drive vehicle.

It is another object to the present invention to provide an efficient hybrid drive system which utilizes an increased efficiency automated manual transmission.

It is still another object to the present invention to provide a four-wheel drive hybrid drive system with an active torque bias front axle for improved vehicle handling and traction control.

These and other objects of the present invention are obtained by providing a hybrid drive system including an engine and an electric motor connected to the engine via a power transfer unit. A first axle assembly is drivingly connected to the electric motor and includes an active clutch system to selectively apply driving torque from the electric motor to a pair of drive axles. A transmission assembly is selectively connected to the engine and is drivingly connected to a second axle assembly. The transmission assembly is engaged with the engine during an engine-driving mode for providing driving torque to the second axle assembly. The transmission assembly is also engaged with the engine for providing driving torque to the second axle assembly and the electric motor is activated to provide driving torque to the first axle assembly while the active clutch system is engaged during a combined engine and electric motor driving mode. The electric motor is activated to provide driving torque to the first axle assembly while the active clutch system is engaged during an electric motor driving mode. In addition, the power transfer unit is engageable during an engine driving mode for driving the electric motor as a generator for generating electricity to charge a battery.

A control unit is provided for controlling the engine, the electric motor, the transmission assembly, the power transfer unit and the active clutch system. The electric motor is operated in a regeneration mode when a braking signal is received by the control unit or at any other time that braking is necessary such as under engine braking conditions in order to give the proper driving feel. The control unit also increases an amount of electric motor torque delivered during a transmission assembly shifting operation in order to reduce shift shock during a shifting operation. The active clutch system includes a pair of active clutches for applying torque to the pair of drive axles as controlled by the control unit. The power transfer unit includes a gear train with a controllable clutch unit.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a graphical diagram of the transmission and electric motor torque applied during a first gear to second gear shift according to the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The present invention is related to a hybrid drive system for a vehicle which functions to provide driving torque to both front and rear ground-engaging wheels of a vehicle. The hybrid drive system employs an engine and an electric motor along with an automated manual transmission, a controllable power take-off unit for delivering engine torque to the electric motor for operation in a regenerative mode, and an active clutch system for providing driving torque from the electric motor to a pair of ground-engaging wheels.

With reference to FIG. 1, the hybrid drive system 10 will now be described in greater detail. The hybrid drive system 10 includes an internal combustion engine 12 with an engine power take-off unit 14 connected to an engine crankshaft 16. An automated manual transmission 18 is connected to the internal combustion engine by a clutch 20. A rear prop shaft 22 is connected to the transmission 18 and provides driving torque to a rear axle differential 24 which delivers drive torque to a pair of axle shafts 26A, 26B. An electric motor 28 is connected to the engine power take-off unit 14. The electric motor 28 is connected to a right angle gear set 30 which drives a pair of front axle shafts 32A, 32B which deliver driving torque to the front ground-engaging wheels 34A, 34B via a pair of active clutches 36A, 36B which control the torque delivered to the front wheels 34A, 34B.

A hybrid control unit 40 communicates with an engine control unit 44, a transmission control unit 46 and an anti-lock braking system control unit 48. More specifically, the hybrid control unit 40 operates in conjunction with the engine control unit 44, transmission control unit 46 and anti-lock braking system control unit 48 for controlling the internal combustion engine 12, the automated manual transmission 18, the transmission clutch 20, the engine power take-off unit 14, the electric motor 28, the active clutches 36A, 36B and the vehicle anti-lock braking system 42.

Due to the ability to supplement the torque supplied by the internal combustion engine 12 with torque from the electric motor 28, the internal combustion engine 12 can be smaller in size for reduced weight and better fuel economy. The engine power take-off unit 14 preferably includes a gear set having a first gear 52 attached to the engine crankshaft 16 and a second gear 54 attached to an input shaft 56 of the electric motor 28. The engine power take-off unit is provided with a controllable clutch 55 which can be operably engaged with one of the gears 52, 54 to allow the gears to selectively permit different speeds between the two shafts 16, 56. The controllable clutch 55 is preferably a bi-directional overrunning clutch which can be selectively engaged to be overrunning in a forward direction, a rearward direction or selectively locked for direct drive engagement. A similar clutch of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,403 which is herein incorporated by reference.

The transmission 18 is preferably an automated manual transmission with automated controls for electrically controlling the shifting between various gear ratios as is known in the art. In addition, the transmission clutch 20 is also electronically controlled to engage the automated manual transmission 18 to the crankshaft 16 of the internal combustion engine 12. The automated manual transmission 18 is recognized as being more efficient than standard hydraulically-controlled automatic transmissions which have parasitic losses which reduce the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle powertrain system.

The electric motor 28 is utilized as a motor/generator and thereby permits the elimination of an alternator since the motor/generator 28 can be utilized to charge the battery unit 60 as will be described in greater detail herein. The electric motor 28 can be utilized to supplement the drive torque of the internal combustion engine 12 in order to provide improved shift feel during shifting of the automated manual transmission 18. In particular, for smoother driving, the control unit uses the electric motor 28 to supplement torque interrupt caused during shifting of the automated manual transmission 18. As graphically illustrated in FIG. 3, when the transmission clutch 20 is disengaged in order to shift the automated manual transmission 18 from, for example, first gear to second gear, the transmission torque drops suddenly during the transition from the first gear to second gear disengagement and engagement. Thus, the hybrid control unit 40 increases the amount of electric motor torque supplied to the ground-engaging wheels in order to supplement the torque interrupt caused during the shifting of the transmission. The effect is to provide for smoother driving during shifting operations.

The hybrid drive system 10 provides a four-wheel drive system with active torque bias at the front axle for improved vehicle handling and traction control by engagement of the active clutch system 36. According to a preferred embodiment, the active clutch system 36 utilizes a pair of active clutches 36A, 36B provided on each of the front axles 32A, 32B, respectively. The use of a pair of active clutches 36A, 36B allows for side-to-side traction and stability control in addition to front-to-rear stability and traction control.

An alternative configuration of the active clutch system 36 provides a single active clutch 36′ as shown in FIG. 2 which is provided between the electric motor 28 and the right angle gearset with differential 30. This active clutch system 36′ does not provide for side-to-side traction and stability control but still has front-to-rear stability and traction control functionality. The active clutch system 36, as shown in either FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, is controlled by the hybrid control unit 40 based upon sensed wheel-slip and torque delivery conditions.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the hybrid control unit 40 controls the hybrid drive system 10 in several operable modes including an internal combustion engine only mode, an internal combustion engine with electric motor assist mode, and an electric drive only mode. During the internal combustion engine only mode, the internal combustion engine 12 provides driving torque to the automated manual transmission 18 through the transmission clutch 20 which is engaged. If the battery power of battery unit 60 is sufficient, the controllable bi-directional clutch 55 of the engine power take-off unit 14 is overrunning and doesn't transmit power to the electric motor 28. If the battery needs charging as determined by the control unit strategy, the bi-directional clutch 55 is engaged and the motor 28 becomes a generator to charge the battery 60. No torque is transmitted to the front tires since the controllable active clutch system 36 is disengaged.

In a combined internal combustion engine and electric motor assist driving mode, the internal combustion engine provides driving torque to the automated manual transmission 18 via the transmission clutch 20 which is engaged. The controllable bi-directional clutch 55 over-runs in an unlocked condition so that the electric motor 28 can rotate independently of the engine 12 and transmission 18. The electric motor 28 transmits torque to the front wheels via the controlled active clutches 36A, 36B. Power can be applied to the left and right front wheels independently to improve handling, traction, or vehicle stability. This is advantageous during cornering maneuvers since the electric motor can push the outside wheel with greater speed to help it around the corner therefore reducing or eliminating under-steer. More specifically, when cornering, the outside wheel must spin faster than the inside wheel due to the larger radius in which it is moving. Thus, by appropriate engagement of the active clutches 36A, 36B, the torque applied to the left and front wheels can be independently controlled by the hybrid control unit 40 to improve handling, traction and vehicle stability. During shifting, the controller 40 determines the electric motor speed and active clutch torque to reduce the torque interrupt experienced when disengaging the transmission clutch 20 of the automated manual transmission 18. This torque interrupt is caused by the reduction in torque that occurs when the transmission 18 must be disengaged from the engine 12 to shift from one gear to another as described above with respect to FIG. 3. By modifying the electric motor/active clutch speeds and torques, this shift-shock feeling can be minimized as discussed above.

In an electric drive operating mode, the internal combustion engine 12 is shut down in order to conserve fuel. The batteries power the electric motor 28 which transmits power through the active clutch system 36 to the front wheels 34A, 34B. The controllable bi-directional clutch 55 is disengaged to prevent parasitic losses through the transmission 28 or internal combustion engine 12. This method is much more efficient than current technologies that rotate the engine and/or transmission with the electric motor. In this mode, it is possible to use the active clutches 36A, 36B for side-to-side traction or stability control even though the powertrain is in an electric drive operating mode.

The hybrid control unit 40 senses the charge level of the battery unit 60, the vehicle throttle position, vehicle speed and other vehicle parameters to re-charge the batteries and keep them charged for optimum performance. When the vehicle is in motion, during an internal combustion engine only operating mode, the bi-directional clutch 55 of the power take-off unit 14 is engaged in order to drive the electric motor/generator 28 as a generator when the vehicle is in motion. The active clutches 36 a, 36 b are disengaged in order to prevent speed and torque differences between the front and rear wheels.

During braking or coasting, the active clutches 36A, 36B can be engaged and the electric motor 28 can be used to generate electric power to be stored by the batteries 60. The controllable bi-directional clutch 55 is disengaged in this brake regeneration mode to prevent speed differences between the electric motor 28 and the engine 12/transmission 28.

When the vehicle is stopped and no wheels are moving, the transmission clutch 20 is disengaged. If the battery needs charging, the internal combustion engine is utilized to transmit power through the controllable bi-directional clutch 55 of the power take-off unit 14 to drive the electric motor/generator 28 in a generator mode in order to generate electricity to recharge the battery unit 60. Since the active clutches 36A, 36B and the transmission clutch 20 are disengaged, the vehicle can recharge without moving.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising: an engine having a rotary output; transmission having a rotary input and a rotary output connected to a first axle assembly having a first pair of wheels; a first clutch for selectively coupling said engine output to said transmission input for providing driving torque to said first pair of wheels; an electric motor having a rotary member connected to a second axle assembly having a second pair of wheels; a transfer unit driven by said engine output; a second clutch for selectively coupling said transfer unit to said rotary member of said electric motor; a third clutch for selectively coupling said rotary member of said electric motor to said second axle assembly; and a hybrid control unit for controlling selective actuation of said electric motor and said first, second and third clutches, such that an electric drive mode is established when said first and second clutches are released, said third clutch is engaged and said electric motor provides drive torque to said second axle assembly for driving said second pair of wheels.
 2. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 1 further comprising: an engine control unit for controlling operation of said engine; and a transmission control unit for controlling shifting of said transmission so as to establish various speed ratio drive connections between said transmission input and said transmission output, said hybrid control unit communicating with said engine control unit and said transmission control unit to establish said electric drive mode and an engine drive mode.
 3. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 2 wherein said first clutch is engaged and said second clutch is released during said engine drive mode such that said engine delivers drive torque through said transmission to said first pair of wheels.
 4. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 3 wherein said third clutch can be engaged such that said rotary member of said electric motor is driven by said second axle assembly during said engine drive mode for driving said electric motor as a generator.
 5. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein said first clutch is engaged and said second and third clutches are released during an engine drive mode for providing drive torque to said first pair of wheels.
 6. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 5 wherein said second clutch can be selectively engaged during said engine drive mode for driving said rotary member of said electric motor such that said electric motor functions as a generator for charging a battery.
 7. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein said first and third clutches are engaged and said second clutch is released during a hybrid engine and electric motor drive mode such that said engine provides drive torque to said first pair of wheels and said electric motor provides drive torque to said second pair of wheels.
 8. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein said second axle assembly includes a differential connected to said rotary member of said electric motor for driving a pair of drive axles, and wherein said third clutch includes a pair of clutches for selectively connecting each of said drive axles to a corresponding one of said second pair of wheels.
 9. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 1 wherein said second axle assembly includes a differential and a pair of drive axles connecting said second pair of wheels to said differential, and wherein said third clutch is operable for selectively coupling said rotary member of said electric motor to said differential.
 10. A four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle, comprising: a first pair of wheels; a second pair of wheels; an engine; a power transfer unit driven by said engine; a first clutch for selectively connecting said engine to said first pair of wheels; an electric motor; a second clutch for selectively connecting said power transfer unit to said electric motor; and a third clutch for selectively connecting said electric motor to said second pair of wheels, and wherein an electric drive mode is established when said first and second clutches are released and said third clutch is engaged such that said electric motor drives said second pair of wheels.
 11. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 10 wherein said first clutch is engaged and said third clutch is released during an engine drive mode.
 12. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 11 wherein said second clutch may be engaged during said engine drive mode for driving said electric motor as a generator to charge a battery.
 13. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 10 wherein said first and third clutches are engaged and said second clutch is released during a hybrid combined engine and motor drive mode such that said engine provides drive torque to said first pair of wheels and said electric motor provides drive torque to said second pair of wheels.
 14. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 10 further comprising a control unit for controlling operation of said engine, said electric motor and said first, second and third clutches.
 15. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 10 further comprising a transmission that is drivingly connected to said first pair of wheels, and wherein said first clutch is operable for selectively connecting said engine to said transmission.
 16. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 10 further comprising a differential driven by said motor and a pair of driveshafts driven by said differential, and wherein said third clutch includes a pair of clutches operable for selectively coupling each of said driveshafts to a corresponding one of said second pair of wheels.
 17. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 10 further comprising an axle assembly interconnecting said second pair of wheels, and wherein said third clutch is operable for selectively connecting said electric motor to said axle assembly.
 18. A hybrid drive system, comprising an engine; a power transfer unit directly driven by said engine; a first axle assembly having a first pair of wheels; an electric motor; a first clutch for selectively transmitting drive torque from said engine to said first axle assembly; a second clutch for selectively connecting said power transfer unit to said electric motor; a second axle assembly having a second pair of wheels; a third clutch for transferring drive torque from said electric motor to said second axle assembly; and a control unit for controlling operation of said engine and said electric motor and selective actuation of said first, second and third clutches, and wherein an electric drive mode is established when said first and second clutches are released and said third clutch is engaged such that said electric motor drives said second pair of wheels.
 19. The hybrid drive system of claim 18 wherein said electric motor has a rotary motor shaft, wherein said second clutch is operable for selectively coupling said power transfer unit to said motor shaft, and wherein said third clutch is operable for transferring drive torque from said motor shaft to said second axle assembly.
 20. A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising: an engine having a rotary output; a transmission having a rotary input and a rotary output connected to a first axle assembly having a first pair of wheels; a first clutch for selectively coupling said engine output to said transmission input for providing driving torque to said firs pair of wheels; an electric motor having a rotary member connected to a second axle assembly having a second pair of wheels; a transfer unit driven by said engine output; a second clutch for selectively couplings said transfer unit to said rotary member of said electric motor; a third clutch for selectively coupling said rotary member of said electric motor to said second axle assembly; and a hybrid control unit for controlling selective actuation of said electric motor and said first, second and third clutches, whereby a hybrid drive mode is established when said first and third clutches are engaged and said second clutch is released such that said engine transmits drive torque to said first pair of wheels while said electric motor transmits drive torque to said second pair of wheels.
 21. A four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle, comprising: a first pair of wheels; a second pair of wheels; an engine; a power transfer unit driven by said engine; a first clutch for selectively connecting said engine to said first pair of wheels; an electric motor; a second clutch for selectively connecting said power transfer unit to said electric motor; and a third clutch for selectively connecting said electric motor to said second pair of wheels, and wherein a hybrid drive mode is established when said first and third clutches are engaged and said second clutch is released such that said engine drives said first pair of wheels and said motor drives said second pair of wheels.
 22. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 21 wherein said first clutch is engaged and said third clutch is released during an engine drive mode.
 23. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 22 wherein said second clutch may be engaged during said engine drive mode for driving said electric motor as a generator to charge a battery.
 24. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 21 wherein said first and second clutches are released and said third clutch is engaged during an electric drive mode such that said electric motor drives said second pair of wheels.
 25. The four-wheel drive hybrid vehicle of claim 21 further comprising an axle assembly interconnecting said second pair of wheels, and wherein said third clutch is operable for selectively connecting said electric motor to said axle assembly.
 26. A hybrid motor vehicle, comprising: a front axle assembly having a pair of front wheels; a rear axle assembly having a pair of rear wheels; an engine; a transmission driving said rear axle assembly; a power transfer unit operably disposed between said engine and said transmission and having an input member driven by said engine for rotatively driving an output member; an electric motor having a rotary motor shaft; a first clutch operable for selectively coupling said transmission to said engine for transmitting engine drive torque to said rear axle assembly; a second clutch operable for selectively coupling said motor shaft to said output member of said power transfer unit; a third clutch operable for selectively coupling said motor shaft to said front axle assembly for transmitting motor drive torque to said front axle assembly; and a hybrid control system for controlling actuation of said clutches and said electric motor so as to establish one of an electric drive mode and an engine drive mode.
 27. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 26 wherein said electric drive mode is established when said first and second clutches are released and said third clutch is engaged such that said motor drive torque generated by said motor is transmitted to said front wheels.
 28. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 26 wherein said engine drive mode is established when said first clutch is engaged and said second and third clutches are released such that engine drive torque is transmitted through said transmission to said rear wheels.
 29. The hybrid motor vehicle of claim 26 wherein a hybrid drive mode is established when said first and third clutches are engaged and said second clutch is released such that said engine transmits engine drive torque to said rear wheels while said motor transmits motor drive torque to said front wheels. 